Buddy system reaps health benefits at fit-2gether.com

Working out alone is not for everyone.  Those who have an innate drive to get up every morning and hit the treadmill are a unique bunch.  For the rest, staying fit requires motivation-and for many, it’s hard to find the incentive.

But there’s help.  Fitness experts say that recruiting a workout partner helps individuals achieve their fitness goals, whether they are occasional exercisers or novice athletes.

Scott Bowen, a former IT consultant and self-proclaimed fitness junkie, has developed a new online fitness community that allows active San Diegans to find like-minded, energetic individuals in the sport or activity of their choice.  Bowen created fit-2gether.com as a fee-free outlet for meeting compatible fitness friends, and maybe even a date.

“There are a lot of active people in San Diego who want someone to swim, surf, bike or hike with so I thought, why not try to connect them?” said Bowen, who left his career in technology to focus on building a business that combined his passions for fitness, technology and socializing.  “When you’re around people who are constantly challenging themselves physically, you absorb their energy.”

Launched in June 2009, fit-2gether.com allows San Diegans to find workout partners, training groups and sports teams.  Users can also locate a personal trainer, Pilates instructor or nutritionist as well as get training and nutrition tips from user-created blogs and articles.

The Web site has attracted more than 2,000 regular users to date.  It’s the match.com of the fitness industry, creating viable fitness matches for those looking for a workout partner.

Pair up to get results

With a social fitness community such as fit-2gether.com, it’s nearly impossible to find an excuse not to work out.  By partnering up, you are now accountable to someone else, which keeps you committed to not only your workout partner, but also to your fitness goal - whether you are training for a marathon or simply getting into a workout routine.

“An ‘exercise buddy’ can be useful in helping you keep to a routine,” said Dr. Susan Levy, a sport and exercise psychologist and an associate professor at San Diego State University’s School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.

“It’s someone to be accountable to and is often more fun,” she added, noting that there are both physical and psychological benefits of working out in pairs, including a bit of a challenge and encouragement to make each other work harder. “Working out in pairs can be very helpful, especially when someone is just starting a new exercise program.”

By visiting fit-2gether.com you may even find a sport you never knew existed.  Bowen, the site’s developer, received an email from a user who requested that he list underwater hockey to fit-2gether.com’s list of activities.  Bowen thought it was a prank, but after doing some research he found that San Diego actually has an elite underwater hockey club, a division of USA Underwater Hockey.

Fitness 2.0 - where the Web and fitness meet

The Internet has become an increasingly popular and important tool in fitness over the years.  Whether you want to track your diet, find a training group or connect with a fitness expert, fitness community websites like fit-2gether.com offer an outlet to immediately find the information and experts you seek.

In an informal Internet search, I found more than a dozen fitness networks and weight loss forums, among potentially dozens more.  Here are a few of the top-ranked sites:

• Govavi.com is a local sport and social club that encourages users to get together for sports leagues, fitness and dance classes as well as social events, vacations and volunteer opportunities.
• Fitlink.com is an online fitness community where users can log their daily activities and even post a widget to their website to show their progress in real time.
• Dailyburn.com is a diet and fitness tracking website, which includes a downloadable iPhone application.
• Fitizens.com is a website designed to connect fitness experts with exercise enthusiasts.
• Gimme20.com is an online fitness community that touts web tools such as a “workout builder” application where you can create your own workout and track your progress.

Bowen, however, said his fit-2gether.com model and what he has planned for the site’s future are different from these other sites.  He plans to add an online chat function so users can send instant messages in real time as well as an application that allows users to automatically upload their Facebook profile information onto their profile page in fit-2gether.com. When users join a group or add friends on fit-2gether.com, the system will automatically update their Facebook account.

Bowen is planning to expand the website community to Las Vegas with a launch planned in conjunction with the city’s December 6 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.  Fit-2gether.com is a sponsor of the race.

Virtual fitness communities also provide free, unintimidating access to fitness experts and their knowledge.  Online forums allow users to post questions to often thousands of fitness professionals ready to offer their advice.

Samantha Pfeiffer is a local Pilates instructor at Pilates by the Bay and Poway Pilates who uses fit-2gether.com to build her local client base.

“It is difficult to find new clients at networking events,” said Pfeiffer.  ”Often people don’t want to discuss health and fitness while they are mingling and drinking.  It is challenging to find a forum to share fitness information, but fit-2gether.com has provided the solution.”

Pfeiffer said she has received a handful of new leads for private sessions over the past few months and she expects to see more results as the site grows.

The only downside for a “no barriers to entry” social networking website is the chance that users could get fitness tips or nutrition advice from someone who is not qualified to provide it.  As with all information provided on the Internet and on these online fitness communities, make sure to check a fitness professional’s credentials.

Bowen, who often reviews his site’s online forums for negative posts, recently found a so-called “personal trainer” suggesting a user try a potentially harmful supplement.  He deleted the post immediately.

SDSU’s Dr. Levy warned that while more people are using the Web to track their fitness activity and find fitness experts, they should heed caution when requesting fitness advice.

“If [people] are going to credible websites where individuals are qualified to give fitness advice, then it’s a great mechanism to get advice,” she said.

Bowen hopes his users will use fit-2gether.com as a means to interview a fitness professional before hiring them.

Whether you are interested in starting an exercise program, trying out a new sport or need someone to train with for an upcoming competition, a partner in fitness can make the journey more enjoyable and beneficial for your overall health.

As a cycling enthusiast I look forward to browsing fit-2gether.com to find my cycling match.

Cassie Piercey is an SDNN contributor.

Tags: dailyburn.com, Dr. Susan Levy, exercise, fit-2gether.com, fitizens.com, fitlink.com, gimme20.com, govavi.com, Samantha Pfeiffer, San Diego State University, School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Scott Bowen, SDNN, social media, working out

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